The city of Valencia is preparing to become the epicenter of the semiconductor industry in Spain by hosting the second edition of CHIPNATION, the leading congress in the sector, to be held on December 2 and 3, 2024 at CaixaForum València. Organized by the Spanish Semiconductor Industry Association (AESEMI) in collaboration with VASIC (Valencia Silicon Cluster), the event will bring together experts, companies and professionals in the technology field to address the main challenges and advances in the manufacture and development of semiconductors. and will have the institutional collaboration of the City of Valencia, as well as the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT), a public business entity recently created by the Government of Spain to support the growth of the sector.
After the success of its first edition, given the large attendance at the event, the technological and industrial relevance of the speakers, the institutional participation of the Central Government and the Autonomous Communities, the intervention of international think tanks and the closing ceremony by the President of the Government, CHIPNATION has established itself as the key meeting point for the most important players in the semiconductor ecosystem in Spain, a strategic sector in the digital transformation and technological autonomy of the country. The congress will provide a unique space for the discussion of global trends, emerging innovations and business opportunities that are shaping the future of the industry.
The theme for this year’s edition will be “European Chips Act & PERTE CHIP: The moment of truth”, reflecting the importance of the unique moment in which the sector finds itself in Spain and Europe. The Congress will serve to establish important conclusions, defined proposals and roadmaps for investment at a time of great relevance for the future of the microchip industry in Europe and Spain, coinciding with the beginning of the mandate of the new European Commission and the final stages of implementation of the PERTE Chip.
Themes and agenda
During the conference, attendees will be able to attend presentations, round tables and interactive workshops given by industry leaders and academic experts. Featured topics will include the semiconductor strategy at European and Spanish level to strengthen the supply chain, the development of the PERTE Chip, the presentation of large tractor initiatives in Spain, or more technological issues related to integrated photonics or advanced semiconductor packaging.
Talent in microchips and semiconductors
One of the most important topics of the event will be the training and attraction of talent in the semiconductor field. This is one of the challenges most emphasized by the industry. In addition, the Valencian semiconductor ecosystem is focusing its strategy on the International Semiconductor Campus. Within the event will also take place the first meeting between the 17 new chairs of microelectronics and semiconductors that were created in Spain in early 2023, the purpose of this meeting will be to build a structured vision of national scope on training and talent.
Participation and networking opportunities
CHIPNATION will be attended by leading companies in the sector, from large multinationals to innovative startups, as well as government and academic representatives, with SETT and the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure, and representatives of the Valencia City Council and the Generalitat Valenciana having already confirmed their participation. The event will provide an exceptional platform for the exchange of ideas, the creation of synergies and the development of collaboration opportunities between companies, research institutions and public administrations. In addition, during the event will take place the first edition of the “I Valencian Semiconductor Night”, a unique space to connect with the sector, and especially with the Valencian ecosystem, one of the spearheads of the industry in Spain.
industry in Spain.
A crucial event for the Spanish industry
The organization of this event by AESEMI and VASIC underlines the firm commitment to consolidate Spain as a relevant player in the global semiconductor scene, especially at a time when the industry is receiving large investments and institutional support, as part of the European strategy for technological sovereignty.
“CHIPNATION is an unbeatable opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the semiconductor industry in our country and the world,” commented Alfonso Gabarrón, manager of AESEMI. “We are delighted to come to Valencia, a city that is positioning itself as a hub for semiconductor innovation in Europe.”
For her part, the President of Valencia Silicon Cluster, Maria Teresa Bacete, stressed the importance for the Valencian Semiconductor ecosystem of hosting this technological event, as it reinforces the national and international visibility of Valencia as the main environment for the concentration of specialized talent in the microchip sector, as well as a clear commitment to collaboration with all entities and ecosystems in the success of PERTE.
For her part, the Councilor for Tourism, Innovation and Investment Attraction of the Valencia City Council, Paula Llobet, has valued very positively the celebration of the CHIPNATION congress in Valencia, as it represents a clear confirmation of the attractiveness of the city for the microchip and semiconductor industry, and because it further clears the way to make Valencia the headquarters of the International Semiconductor Campus.
What is AESEMI?
AESEMI is the Spanish Semiconductor Industry Association, an entity that represents the main Spanish companies dedicated to microelectronic design and semiconductor manufacturing. The Association was founded at the end of last year 2021 by the companies Wiyo (Yocto Technologies), Imasenic, Kdpof and ICMálaga. Its creation was motivated by the great need to provide the sector with its own entity to channel the feelings of the industry in such a dynamic context as the one we live in, in which semiconductors have become a strategic asset on which key industries for the European Union depend.
The objective of our association is to give visibility to all the companies that are part of the semiconductor technology ecosystem in Spain. Thanks to this platform, we boost not only the growth of this industry, but also open a window of collaboration for large companies to find incentives to invest in our country in order to meet the commitments of decarbonization and digitization signed in the European Union, which are a common factor for all industries, already at a global level. It is also a fundamental part of our objectives to distinguish the capacity of universities and professionals, as well as to position Spain as a technological center with disruptive options and capabilities.
What is VASIC?
Valencia Silicon Cluster (VaSiC) is an initiative that emerged from the industrial environment whose objective is to promote the development of the Valencian ecosystem of microchips, photonics and semiconductors and works actively in all the initiatives derived from PERTE Chip. The founding core of Valencia Silicon Cluster includes the companies MaxLinear, Analog Devices, Bosch, ams Osram, VLC Photonics/Hitachi, Das Photonics, IPronics, Digital Health Data and Gobernanza Industrial. The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the Universitat de València (UV) have been proactively collaborating in the objectives of the cluster since its foundation.